What are the ages of your daycare kids?

[gravy_train]

After a few months of advertising, my daycare is starting to fill up :-). Right now I have:
DS - 13 months
DCG - 14 months
DCB - 2 years old
March 4th I have a little one joining who will be 11.5 months.

So, as of March 4 my crew will be:
DS - 14.5 months
DCG - 15.5 months
DCB - 2 years old
DCG - 11.5 months

This leaves me with 2 spots left. I interviewed a family who want to sign on with me for mid-March. Their baby will be 11 months at that time. They want part-time until September. So that would leave me with one spot left.

Here's my dilemma - I told them on the phone that I would be happy to take them because I was getting worried that I wouldn't have any clients and then this week I signed 2 yo DCB who starts next week :-). Last week I set up an interview for this weekend with a family with twin 2 year olds because I thought I still had 2 spaces to fill.

The truth is I am really nervous about having that many kids under 18 months old and my gut is telling me to hold out for older children while my bank account balance is telling me to sign on regardless of age.

What are the ages of the kids in your care and am I crazy for considering taking on that many young ones? I feel really slimy having to call the part-time parents to tell them I've changed my mind, but this is my livelihood and 2 full-time kids yield that much more income.

Thanks!!

[kidlove]

go with your gut....God always provides. and I would rather have a few backed up bills or have to go without for a bit on some things rather than have boat loads of stress. We do this job because (although dificult) we enjoy it, don't risk the enjoyment over the size of your paycheck, money can bring unhapiness if treated as such a priority. if you feel you may be at your limit with the group you have and your gut says go for an older child, than do that....your gut is always right!!!!!

[Crayola kiddies]

I currently have on enrolment :
Boy 11.5 months
Boy 15 months
Girl 21 months
Girl 2yrs 3 months
Boy 3.5
Plus my own 3.5 yr old boy
My 3.5 yr old dcb will be heading to jk in sept which I have replaced with a 1 yr old boy

[gravy_train]

Thank you, kidlove. Would you take care of that many young babies?

[gravy_train]

thanks, crayola.

[DisneyPrincess]

My daycare children are all over 2y.o. by april, no more "babies". Although, last summer I had 3 under 15 months and I thought it was hard, good thing it wasn't winter.. having to dress them all :/ but that was ME. You'll figure out what is best for YOU. One of my co-daycare friend has 5 under 18 months and she can do it no prob.

Concerning part-time versus full-time, as I am private daycare I can't afford part-time, hey I got a family to feed and bills to pay too... I don't take part-time. If there is no other daycare available for them or other request there for me, I'll take them but temporally.

Again it's up to you and your needs really !!

[cfred]

If you're set up for babies, don't sweat it. My crew is as follows:

19 mos boy - full time
18 mos boy - Mon/Wed/Fri
14 mos girl - Mon/Wed/Fri - going full time in May
14 mos girl - Tues/Thurs
12 mos boy - full time
9 mos boy - full time starting in March.

It's stressful at the very beginning as you get hold of your routines. Once you get that all sorted, it's smooth sailing, or so I've found anyway. Personally, I prefer starting with all little ones, then having them 'outgrow' my facility, then moving on to a whole new crew.

Disney Princess makes a good point with the winter issues. Snowsuits are a bugger! I'm totally honest with parents at intake interview stating that we don't go out every day. If the weather is good and we can load up the wagons, sure, but a few of my kids don't walk or walk well enough to enjoy playing in the snow. Really, it's an exercise in pure misery for everyone involved. But during the warmer months we're out every day for several hours.

I also splashed out and got a 6 seat stroller on Amazon. It was pricey ($1000), but soooooo worth it as we can all get out for great, stress free walks.

So far as part time vs full time....full time wins hands down. I have some part time now as I just relocated and had to fill up quickly, so took some part timers on. I'll honour my commitment to them (the 2 add up to full time anyway), but once they're gone, full time all the way

[DisneyPrincess]

Oh stroller wise... If you are handymandy lol I bought two USED double stroller (turns out got two of the same: one for 30$ at second hand store and one for 80$ on kijiji) and my husband took off wheels on one side of one stroller and fixed both strollers with steels bars. It's makes a 4seater for just almost 100$. Just an idea

[Dreamalittledream]

For me it's not a question of age but mobility/independence. I have a year old that walks well, climbs stairs, self feeds. But, I have an 18 month old (she leaves March 1) that does not walk and is a very heavy child to carry. That type of child (like my 18 month old) is more taxing to your body (your back from carrying, lifting, body position if having to spoon feed).

Here is my current breakdown:
1 @ 3 years old (my own son)
1 @ 3 years old (girl)
3 @ 2 years old (2 boys, 1 girl...the 2 boys share a full time spot while Moms on Mat leave, one Mon/Fri, the other Tues-Thurs.)
1 @ 18 months (she will be leaving March first; when a 1 year old is starting)
1 @ 14 months (walks well, climbs stairs independently, self feeds)

[cfred]

Oh stroller wise... If you are handymandy lol I bought two USED double stroller (turns out got two of the same: one for 30$ at second hand store and one for 80$ on kijiji) and my husband took off wheels on one side of one stroller and fixed both strollers with steels bars. It's makes a 4seater for just almost 100$. Just an idea

That's a great idea! If only I'd held onto my husband.....could have saved $900! Drat